Overview

UK–Africa relations have expanded and consolidated over recent decades, becoming an increasingly significant dimension of the success of both the United Kingdom and African regions, individually and collectively. The diverse cultural landscapes of Africa, the UK, and the Commonwealth, encompassing languages, traditions, and artistic expressions have provided fertile ground for intercultural engagement. The willingness of both regions to participate in such exchanges has been instrumental in shaping their evolving partnership.

As these relations advance within the international arena, there is a clear need for deeper dialogue and enhanced mutual understanding to sustain and build upon this momentum. The UK–Africa Forum on Cultural Diplomacy has therefore been established to examine and promote innovative approaches to cultural diplomacy capable of further strengthening bilateral and multilateral ties.

Organised by the Academy for Cultural Diplomacy in collaboration with leading international institutions, the forum is both distinctive in character and valuable in its contribution. It will encompass sessions on international relations, economics, peacebuilding, human rights, folklore, and the arts, combining broad thematic exploration with targeted discussion of specific aspects of UK–Africa cultural diplomacy.

Through lectures, debates, and collaborative dialogue, the forum will underscore the growing importance of cultural diplomacy in shaping UK–Africa relations. It will also consider the opportunities it affords in addressing global transitions and shared challenges. In particular, it will highlight best practices from both Africa and the UK, illustrating how cultural diplomacy can advance education, reinforce social cohesion, and foster stronger connections between nations and the wider international community.

Speakers & Delegates

Speakers during the forum will include leading politicians, diplomats, governmental officials, senior academics, and artists. These speakers will include individuals from the ICD Advisory Board. To learn more about the ICD Advisory Board, please click here.

Locations

Based in Westminster, London, the Forum will be hosted across a number of significant political, historic, and cultural venues throughout the city.

Forum Participants »

Participation in the Forum is open to government and diplomatic officials, academics, artists, representatives of civil society, members of the private sector, as well as young professionals and students.

Certificate of Attendance - All conference participants will be awarded an official certificate of attendance upon completion of the program, which will provide details of the speakers who took part and the topics discussed.

Certificate of Attendance

All Forum participants will be awarded an official Certificate of Attendance upon completion of the program, which will provide details of the speakers who took part in the event, and list the topics which were discussed. Each certificate will be signed by members of the ICD Advisory Board.

Participant Papers »

The Forum Committee encourages rigorous academic research and analysis on issues related to the objectives of the Forum. Accordingly, the Committee warmly invites Forum participants to submit papers for consideration, both for presentation during the Forum and for inclusion in the proposal document that will be issued following the event and distributed to governments and leaders of the international community worldwide.